James Earl Jones, known for his deep and powerful voice, especially as Darth Vader in “Star Wars,” passed away on Monday at 93, according to his representative. He died at his home in Dutchess County, New York.
Jones had a remarkable career that spanned over 60 years. Despite struggling with a severe stutter as a child, he became one of the most celebrated Black actors of his generation. He made his Broadway debut in 1958, and in 2022, the theater where he first performed was renamed the James Earl Jones Theatre in his honor.
Some of his best-known roles include King Jaffe Joffer in “Coming to America” (1988) and its sequel “Coming 2 America” (2021), the voice of Mufasa in Disney’s “The Lion King,” and appearances in movies like “The Hunt for Red October,” “Patriot Games,” and “Clear and Present Danger.”
Throughout his career, Jones appeared in over 80 films. Notable roles include his debut in “Dr. Strangelove” (1964), as the first Black U.S. president in “The Man” (1972), and as a minister in South Africa in “Cry, the Beloved Country” (1995). He also earned several major awards, including a Kennedy Center Honor in 2002, a Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award in 2009, an honorary Oscar in 2011, and a Lifetime Achievement Tony Award in 2017. He also won a Grammy in 1977, making him one of the few EGOT winners.
His commanding voice made him perfect for Shakespearean roles such as Macbeth and Othello, and he narrated documentaries like “Malcolm X” and “Earth.” He also famously voiced CNN’s iconic tagline, “This is CNN.”
Jones had an extensive television career, appearing in over 70 TV shows and movies, including “Roots” and “The Atlanta Child Murders.” He guest-starred on shows like “The Simpsons” and “Law & Order,” and had recurring roles on “L.A. Law” and “Everwood.”
His most famous role, however, remains Darth Vader. Despite being paid only $7,000 for the role in 1977’s “Star Wars: A New Hope,” Jones’ voice became inseparable from the character. He continued to voice Darth Vader in sequels and other Star Wars projects, including the 2022 series “Obi-Wan Kenobi,” where his voice was recreated using AI technology.
In a 2014 interview, Jones humbly described his career: “The secret is never forgetting that you’re a journeyman actor. Nothing is your final thing, nothing is your greatest thing, nothing is your worst thing.”
Born in Mississippi in 1931, Jones grew up in Michigan with his grandparents. His severe stutter as a child led him to communicate mostly through writing. It wasn’t until high school, with the encouragement of a teacher, that he began to overcome it by reading his poetry aloud.
Jones initially studied medicine at the University of Michigan but soon turned his attention to drama. His first stage role was in a 1957 off-Broadway production. He later joined the New York Shakespeare Festival in 1960 and quickly made a name for himself in roles like Othello.
His big break in cinema came in 1964 with Stanley Kubrick’s “Dr. Strangelove.” In 1968, Jones’ performance in “The Great White Hope,” playing the boxer Jack Johnson, earned him a Tony Award and propelled him into the spotlight.
While he may never have become a Hollywood megastar, his role as Darth Vader and his 1977 appearance in “Roots” made him a household name. Jones continued to work in theater throughout his life, earning numerous accolades and drawing audiences to Broadway even in his later years.
James Earl Jones was married twice, and his second wife, actress Cecilia Hart, passed away in 2016. He is survived by his son, Flynn Earl Jones.
